Sleepless Nights – Can You Only Sleep Through the Night with Sleeping Pills?

Have you ever taken a sleeping pill once in a while to help you sleep better? Or do you do it regularly? The Federal Office of Public Health confirms that more than three percent of the Swiss population regularly takes sleeping pills or sedatives before going to sleep—that’s around 240,000 people!

The Problem

There are various causes of sleepless or disrupted nights. In the case of a stressful daily routine or personal worries, sleep aids can be taken for a short period to break the vicious cycle of insomnia. While these medications may help those affected sleep better in the short term, many of them disrupt the natural sleep cycle in the long run. For example, certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, suppress the particularly restorative deep sleep phases. This significantly reduces the quality of sleep.

Furthermore, there are no sleep aids that do not cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or similar issues, and they are often even addictive. However, sleepless nights can also be caused by an uncomfortable sleeping position, leading to discomfort or pain in bed. Often, it is a combination of both. When you lie in bed full of the day’s impressions, tossing and turning, unable to find your “spot,” and with your worries and thoughts swirling, it becomes increasingly difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Tips:

• St. John’s wort, lady’s mantle, hops, valerian, and lemon balm tea have a calming effect and help you fall asleep; taking a lavender pillow to bed also helps you relax.
• Establish a consistent bedtime routine and go to bed at the same time every night if possible.
• If you have trouble staying asleep, don’t look at the clock during the night! This causes your body to produce adrenaline and wakes up your organs and body.
• If you wake up in the middle of the night, don’t sit at the computer or watch TV. The blue light wakes up your body and makes it harder to fall back asleep.
• If necessary, take herbal sleep aids. These have no side effects, or only mild ones.
• If you have been taking sleep aids for an extended period, do not stop taking them suddenly. Reduce the dose slowly, step by step, to prevent unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
• People with liver disease must consult their doctor before taking these supplements to avoid further liver damage.

Are you curious and would like to learn more about sleep disorders? Then contact a “Kompetenzzentrum Schmerzfrei Schlafen” near you. These centers are members of the IG-RLS and have been hosting FREE informational events on the topic of “Solutions for Lying and Sleeping Problems” for over 10 years.